Lesson #1

Topic: Computation
Sub-Topic: Computing decimals
Objectives:
Students will:
 Understand the concept of decimal;
 Add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals.

Content:
Decimals

Operations with Decimals

Adding and Subtracting Decimals

Adding and subtracting decimals is easy if you're comfortable with carrying and borrowing. Just
line up the decimal points, and (if necessary) add zeros to the end of one number, so they have
the same number of decimal places. Then add (or subtract) as you usually would.

In your answer, the decimal point should go exactly below where it is in the numbers being
added (or subtracted).

Example:
Exercise: Solution

Reference:
Raymond Toolsie, (1996). Mathematics A Complete Course with CXC
Questions Volume 1 pages 44 – 45.

www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/operations-with-decimals
 Sub-Topic: Dividing decimals
Objectives:
Students will:
 Understand how to set down decimals for division;
 Divide decimal with ease;

Content:
Dividing with Decimals

Dividing decimals is similar to dividing whole numbers, except you have to handle the decimal
point before you start dividing.

1. Move the decimal point in the divisor and dividend.

Turn the divisor (the number you’re dividing by) into a whole number by moving the decimal
point all the way to the right. At the same time, move the decimal point in the dividend (the
number you’re dividing) the same number of places to the right.
2. Place a decimal point in the quotient (the answer) directly above where the decimal point now
appears in the dividend.
3. Divide as usual, being careful to line up the quotient properly so that the decimal point falls into
place. Line up each digit in the quotient just over the last digit in the dividend used in that cycle.
Example:
1. Divide the following: 9.152 / 0.8 = ?
11.44. To start out, write the problem as usual:

Turn 0.8 into the whole number 8 by moving the decimal point one place to the right. At the
same time, move the decimal point in 9.1526 one place to the right. Put your decimal point in the
quotient directly above where it falls in 91.25:
 Now you’re ready to divide. Just be careful to line up the quotient properly so that the decimal
point falls into place.

2. Divide the following: 21.9 / 0.015 = ?

1,460. Set up the problem as usual:

Notice that two trailing zeros are attached to the dividend because you need to move the decimal
points in each number three places to the right. Again, place the decimal point in the quotient
directly above where it now appears in the dividend, 21900:

Now you’re ready to divide. Line up the quotient carefully so the decimal point falls into place:

Even though the division comes out even after you write the digit 6 in the quotient, you still need
to add a place holding zero so that the decimal point appears in the correct place.

Reference:
https://www.dummies.com/education/math/pre-algebra/how-to-divide-decimals/

Exercise:

Divide the following decimal : Divide the following decimal by decimal:

1. A) 6.25 / 20 B) 170.4 / 30 1. A) 8.321 / 3.14 B) 39.176 / 4.72
2. A) 692.8 / 40 B) 280.5 / 50 2. A) 401.982 / 56.3 B) 320.37 / 35.4
3. A) 214.8 / 60 B) 429.45 / 70 3. A) 72.96 / 0.95 B) 76.383 / 0.81
4. 431.4 / 200 B) 964.8 / 300 4. A) 23.205 / 27.3 B) 23.384 / 31.6
5. 633.2 / 400 B) 1029.5 / 500 5. A) 78.306 / 84.2 B) 67.71 / 91.5

Solution:

1. A) 0.3125 B) 5.68 1. A) 2.65 B) 8.3

2. A) 17.32 B) 5.61 2. A) 7.14 B) 9.05
3. A) 3.58 B) 6.135 3. A) 76.8 B) 94.3
4. A) 2.157 B) 3.216 4. A) 0.85 B) 0.74
5. A) 1.583 B) 2.059 5. A) 0.93 B) 0.74